Gonzalez, the winner of 22 fights, 17 by knockout, stayed on his stool because of a suspected broken wrist.

Burns (36-2, 11 KO) started better but Gonzalez troubled the champion in the sixth round and a brutal seventh, subduing the partisan crowd. Gonzalez was hesitant in the ninth, and though he quit afterward, he led on the judges' scorecards.

"I knew the rounds were close. The judges had me behind," Burns said. "I couldn't believe how awkward he is. I take my hat off to him, he is a class, class opponent. He's very hard to hit."